Soya sauce market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for soya sauce in Malaysia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. It started at 306.1 thousand tonnes in 2018, dipped to 274.1 thousand tonnes in 2019, then recovered to 285.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. A significant surge followed in 2021, reaching 352.7 thousand tonnes. However, the market contracted in the next two years, falling to 335.2 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 326.7 thousand tonnes in 2023. In value terms, the market grew from $341.5 million in 2018 to $477.6 million in 2023, indicating a trend towards higher-priced products.

The sharp market expansion in 2021 coincided with the introduction of the Hold, Test and Release (TUL) directive by Malaysia's Ministry of Health in June that year. This regulation imposed strict food safety and labeling controls on sweet soya sauce containing sulphur dioxide at all national entry points. The effective enforcement, which found no non-compliant samples in the local market, likely bolstered consumer confidence and supported demand for quality products, contributing to the volume growth.

In the later years, the industry saw structural changes with the closure of the long-established Hup Teck soya sauce factory in 2025 after 111 years of operation. Government policy, through the 2025 Budget and MADANI Economy framework, emphasized investment support for domestic micro, small, and medium enterprises involved in production and distribution. Concurrently, import volumes rose steadily from 2023, reaching 15.8 thousand tonnes in 2025.

Production soya sauce in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia maintained its position as the world's second-largest producer of soya sauce by volume.

Top producers of soya sauce, 2018-2021

World map of production of soya sauce, 2018-2021

Malaysia's soya sauce production volume grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 358.6 K t of soya sauce, marking a 23.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 11.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 281.6 K t, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Malaysia's soya sauce production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 561.5 M $ US, showing a sharp rise of 26.6% compared to the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 57.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports soya sauce from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Malaysia's exported volumes of soya sauce rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 13 580 t, reflecting a gradual year-on-year increase of 5.1%. However, from 2018 to 2021, overall exports decreased by 36.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 13.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 12 922 t, and the largest drop occurred in 2019 at 30.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Australia—collectively accounted for 60.0% of Malaysia's total soya sauce exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Malaysia's cross-border shipments of soya sauce in value terms saw an uptick. In 2021, exports amounted to 21 264 K $ US, representing a 7.8% increase from the previous year. Despite this, from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 10.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 19 733 K $ US, and the largest decline happened in 2019 at 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore (27.1% of exports by value), the United Kingdom (26.6%), and Australia (8.5%) were the top markets for Malaysia's soya sauce exports in value terms, together making up 62.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021

Imports soya sauce to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Malaysia's soya sauce imports by volume declined. In 2021, imports totaled 7 706 t, indicating a moderate decrease of 7.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 19.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 8 291 t, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, three principal markets—China, Indonesia, and Singapore—together represented 76.7% of Malaysia's total soya sauce imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year advance, Malaysia's soya sauce imports in value terms declined. In 2021, imports reached 9 580 K $ US, which is 5.7% lower than the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 17.4%, with an annualized rate of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 10 155 K $ US, and the largest increase took place in 2019 at 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources for Malaysia's soya sauce imports in value terms were China (43.5% of imports by value), Singapore (17.3%), and Indonesia (13.7%), which collectively accounted for 74.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021